WWE SmackDown Results: Cena vs. Rhodes now a Street Fight

July 18, 2025 John Kleinchester NEWS, RECOMMENDED, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

July 18, 2025
Frost Bank Center – San Antonio, TX

By: John Kleinchester

WWE SmackDown Live Results

  • Charlotte Flair over Raquel Rodriguez via Roll-Up in 9:14
  • Damian Priest over Carmelo Hayes via DQ in 8:56
  • Stephanie Vaquer over Alba Fyre via SVB in 2:02
  • #1 Contenders’ Match: Andrade & Rey Fenix over DIY, Fraxiom, & MCMG via The Message in 15:37

 

Let’s Start with a Car Crash

SmackDown from San Antonio kicked off with the aftermath of an accident in the parking lot of the arena with the MFTs. Cody Rhodes interrupted and took the contract for later that night so that he could review it. In the background, it appeared Tama Tonga had blood around one eye. For some reason, Adam Pearce was here with no mention of Nick Aldis. 

A video was shown from earlier in the day with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Flair said she went to Adam Pearce and got them a title shot at SummerSlam. Charlotte said she needed Bliss in her corner for her match against Raquel Rodriguez. In the background, Giulia was seen talking to Kiana James for some reason.

This led directly into the match as mentioned earlier, and before which, Wade Barrett noted that Charlotte appeared to be “having fun” again. Bliss had black pom poms to help cheer Charlotte on in this match. 

Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodríguez held her own with Flair, even dominating her for a good portion of the match. Flair then went for the Figure Eight, but Roxanne Perez jumped up on the apron, distracting Flair, but before they could capitalize, Alexa Bliss returned the favor, nailing Rodriguez and allowing Flair to hit a big boot and a roll-up for the win.

Backstage, police officers approached Adam Pearce and said that Jacob Fatu was a “person of interest” in the car crash investigation. Pearce found Fatu and convinced him to answer their questions. 

A promo package aired highlighting Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill ahead of their title match at SummerSlam. 

Footage was shown of R-Truth getting the surprise win over Aleister Black, followed by the subsequent attack on Damian Priest by Black in the back. Then footage from earlier in the day was shown, with Priest approaching Carmelo Hayes, who said he had warned him about what happened with Black. The two went back and forth until Priest challenged him to a match tonight. As with the first match, this also led directly into the match.

Damian Priest vs. Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes jumped Damian Priest before the bell, but only had the advantage for a brief period before Priest took over. At one point, Hayes set up for Sweet Chin Music (with them being in San Antonio) but didn’t land it. Priest then went for the “old school” Taker rope walk when Aleister Black appeared and crotched Priest on the ropes. Black then hit Priest with the Black Mass and stared Carmelo Hayes down, who bailed before anything could happen to him. 

After the match, a Wyatt Sicks promo was aired, where they stated they would defeat all the other SmackDown tag teams (in their unique language). 

The MFTs Need Car Insurance

U.S. Champion Solo Sikoa was out to the ring next with his MFTs and started running down Jacob Fatu. Suddenly, police were shown on the Titantron releasing Jacob Fatu and shaking hands with Jimmy Uso. The police stated that they had reviewed the footage and he was free to go. Fatu made a beeline for the ring, and Jimmy Uso jumped the MFTs from behind as a brawl ensued. Fatu and Jimmy teamed up to take out Talla Tonga. Jacob almost took Solo out with a chair before the other MFTs intervened to make the save.

Jimmy and Fatu beat down JC Mateo and Tama Tonga with moonsaults and chairs as Solo and Talla looked on. Adam Pearce then appeared and made it official for SummerSlam: Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu for the United States Championship in a Steel Cage. Police then arrested Solo Sikoa, but it was never stated exactly what happened with the car accident that led to his arrest.

Footage was then shown of Jelly Roll, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, and Logan Paul brawling on Jimmy Kimmel Live. This was the goofiest, cringiest thing in a while. It came off like a bad Jerry Springer segment.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre

Next up was Battle Royal winner Stephanie Vaquer taking on Alba Fyre. Wade Barrett said that Vaquer was “over” from Raw after making the save for Nikki Bella this past Monday. Vaquer won after hitting the SVB in just over two minutes. After the match, Piper Niven attacked Vaquer, but Vaquer fought her off. 

Backstage, the Street Profits (with B-Fab by their sides) were interviewed and stated they would soon regain their titles. DIY and Candice LeRae interrupted and laughed at the Profits’ loss, saying they would get the job done themselves. 

 

#1 Contenders’ Fatal 4-Way

The final match of the evening was the #1 Contenders’ match for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships between DIY, Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns, and Andrade & Rey Fenix. During the ad break, Wade Barrett poked fun at Michael Cole, calling Candice LeRae “Candice Michelle” during the Evolution PLE. Early in the match, the crowd chanted “We want Rey” as DIY got the heat on MCMG in their corner. This match devolved relatively quickly, with all eight men entering the ring and engaging in a brawl, leaving the referee unable to control the match. 

The finish saw Gargano accidentally hit Ciampa with a superkick, followed by Andrade hitting The Message for the win. Andrade and Rey Fenix will take on The Wyatt Sicks for the Tag Team titles next week (and not at SummerSlam). Also announced for next week was Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez. 

The Contract Signing

The final segment of the show was the contract signing for the WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena at SummerSlam. Rhodes came out still holding the contract that he had taken from Pearce earlier and immediately signed it. Rhodes said that his social media post stating “do not flinch and thank you for riding with me” was overanalyzed this past weekend. He listed all of his accomplishments over the last few years, saying he never flinched, but he did at WrestleMania against John Cena. Cena came out and said he would not be at SummerSlam because he is filming a big movie in New York City for Netflix.

Cena suggested Paris or Perth as alternative locations for their rematch and left. Rhodes ran after him and attacked him. The two brawled, and Rhodes nailed Cena with the title. Cody then splashed Cena through the table and took his hand, signing the contract for Cena and revealing that their match was now a Street Fight. I’m not sure how that would hold up legally, especially since it was caught on camera. 

Note: Does Mark Nash’s announcing perturb anyone else? He sounds like he’s almost laughing with his style sometimes. I would call it incredulous, maybe? His inflection is like he can’t believe what is coming out of his mouth. It’s certainly unique. 

About John Kleinchester 277 Articles
John Kleinchester is a wrestling reporter from New Jersey, covering the sport since 2022. He is a graduate of Ithaca College and can be reached at jkleinchester@gmail.com.
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